A Spring Saturday at the seaside!

Last Saturday we decided spur of the moment to go to the seaside. Although its still very bitter, the sun was out and we thought why not? Once your bundled up its a great way to blow away the cobwebs, and if you've read my last post you will know I had a lot of those!

When it was time to go the boys happily got back in the car but Niall refused to budge. He was having far too much fun crouching watching the dogs play on the beach!

I'm very out of practice with the camera but it felt great to reclaim family time. Watch this space!

Autumn exploring

My news feeds are full of people saying farewell to Summer. Now, I'm not impartial to a bit of nice weather, but personally I'm sat here open armed welcoming Autumn. I love getting cosy on dark nights, wrapping up for walks and stomping through crunchy leaves more than anything. Whilst most families are heading into soft play around this time of the year, we head outdoors more than ever. We explore newly empty areas, bug hunt and just generally just enjoy family time with our boys.

We recently explored a new part of the peak district, and although it was right on the out skirts, it was still very beautiful.

It was the first time that Niall had saw a sheep since he learnt what they 'say', he was in his element baa'ing away in fascination!

Even the most fantastic little walkers need a rest to re fuel every now and then!

I love his little hand gestures, deep in riveting conversation as always!

"You are my favourite adventure"

 "Rarrr", We found a wild Rio lurking in the bush!

 

Creating Dinosaur Land!

It's the school holidays. Technically this doesn't apply to Rio, but seems as though he starts Nursery in September, I thought we would pack the time full of extra fun days anyway while we have still got the chance. Like most parenting households, we have baskets and cupboards jam packed with toys. Most of which don't get half as much use as they should! So I'm making it my mission to change that.

Today I took a handful of Dinosaurs out of 'the Dinosaur basket', and ventured out into the garden. Rio was clueless to what the hell I was doing as I was also armed with a baking tray! It was then that I showed him a 'Dinosaur Land', example on Pinterest and his eyes lit up. He got to work fetching mud, stones, grass and a coconut shell (for the water hole). I couldn't stop smiling watching him. At one point he even ran back indoors for a toilet roll tube (craft must have!).

Before long he was too eager to create anymore, he wanted to get stuck in and play and that's when I realised that imagination is everything.

"The little one cant reach"..puts on silly voice.."Hop on my back little Dinosaur"

  "Is this one a plant eater?".. Doesn't wait to response.."He must be, nom nom nom"

 He's always loved playing pretend kitchens, doctors, shops, but for me this showed how little toys children actually need. Most of what we used to today was found around the house/garden. His imagination went into over drive. He surprised me so many times as he talked away to himself. I sat there one the grass, with Niall, realising how much Rio has grown up. And how much, despite my fears, he is ready for school!
 

My boys and the bluebells! - Renishaw Hall

Since going back to work we're finding it hard to have family days out at the weekend. Craig often works Saturdays and working Sunday is part of my contract. So when we do get the chance, like this bank holiday weekend, we really do like to make the most of it!

Regular readers of my blog will already known that we like to explore and discover new places but we actually stumbled across Renishaw Hall on google maps, of all places! And within about 20 minutes of being there it became one of our favourite places, one I know we will revisit over and over again as a family like we do with Potteric carr etc.

We were lucky enough to visit when the bluebells were in bloom and my gosh was it a magical sight.

The walks/garden weren't the most pushchair friendly in places but as this is an award winning garden we didn't expect them to be. There was something new to discover around every corner and I have a feeling we didn't even find half of it.

The courtyard, shops and café are so quaint and totally me. So much so I let my healthy eating guard down and had a slice/slab of coffee cake..it didn't disappoint!